Italian PM Monti announces intention to resign; early elections likely in February

The political news coming from Italy, in which current primer minister Mario Monti plans to resign once the 2013 budget goes through parliament and is approved, are not sitting well with the Euro, as investors anticipate it may lead to a new chapter in the EU crisis. The prospects of higher Italian bond yields when Europe opens weighs on the Euro. The Italian general elections, upon final confirmation, will likely be celebrated in February. Former primer minister Silvio Berlusconi is to run as centre-right candidate, and with the threat of an 'Il Cavaliere'-led anti-euro campaign looming, traders have logically turned cautious. The leading centre-left PD party is still in control, with Berlusconi's centre-right PDL behind by over 16 points.

According to NAB: "Prospects of Italian bond yields spiking higher when Europe opens is driving the euro lower. EUR bears would though do well to note that the People of Liberty party currently trails the centre-left Democratic party by 20% points. Plus, the re-appearance of Mr Berlusconi to the centre of the Italian political stage may well prompt Mr Monti to make him himself available for re-selection as PM after elections now seen likely to occur next February, three months earlier than originally intended." - FXstreet.comhttps://support.fxcc.com/email/technical/10122012/

Pair is losing its neutral structure, as the price has tested new lows today. Next immediate support locates at 1.2888 (S1). Break here is required to enable bearish pressure towards our targets at 1.2867 (S2) and 1.2846 (S3).

We are not expecting significant price deviation later on today, though risk of positive tone establishment is seen above the next resistance level at 82.57 (R1). Any penetration above this level would put in focus higher targets at 82.68 (R2) and 82.77 (R3).